Anatomy of a Shell

Raised on the beaches of Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast, many characteristics of the beach echo in my Nashville-based mind. From the fine Quartz crystal sand that eroded down from the Appalachian mountains lining the coast, to the many colors the gulf generates through the seasons. A favorite beach ritual is to pick up trash while combing for shells, as it seems the more trash that is cleaned up, the more elaborate shells are found. Studying the petite spiral forms of Gulf Coast seashells is the inspiration behind this collection. Simple lines shape the intricate growth patterns and skeleton a tumultuous storm of water can leave behind.